check engine - flashing, rough/sutter

[Dan Langille]

This is the first engine problem I've had with my 2001 Legacy stationwagon.

I've had three days (one a few weeks ago, the other two yesterday and
today) where the engine seems to stutter at times. When I started the car
on these three ocassions, the check engine light would flash and the engine
seemed to stutter or skip... I don't know how to describe it. It sounded
quite rough.

The first time, the check engine light started to flash as I drew away from
a stop sign, two blocks from my house. I pulled over and by the time I'd
stopped, so had the flashing. All went well until yesterday.

Yesterday, and today, the check engine light started to flash right after
starting the car and before leaving the driveway. The engine was also
quite rough, that stutter/skip was back. After running the engine at about
3000rpm for 20s, the check engine flashing stopped.

This problem did not recur the other 4 times I started the car today.
However, I would occasionally notice a small stutter or skip while
accelerating at highway speeds.

I spoke with the dealership after the first incident. They suspected bad
gas or stuff getting past the fuel filter.

I'm in Ottawa, the temperatures have been around 3-7C the past two days
(that's roughly 40F I think).

What do you think? Fuel? Engine filter? plugs?

 

[mulder]

This is the first engine problem I've had with my 2001 Legacy stationwagon.

I've had three days (one a few weeks ago, the other two yesterday and
today) where the engine seems to stutter at times. When I started the car
on these three ocassions, the check engine light would flash and the engine
seemed to stutter or skip... I don't know how to describe it. It sounded
quite rough.

The first time, the check engine light started to flash as I drew away from
a stop sign, two blocks from my house. I pulled over and by the time I'd
stopped, so had the flashing. All went well until yesterday.

Yesterday, and today, the check engine light started to flash right after
starting the car and before leaving the driveway. The engine was also
quite rough, that stutter/skip was back. After running the engine at about
3000rpm for 20s, the check engine flashing stopped.

This problem did not recur the other 4 times I started the car today.
However, I would occasionally notice a small stutter or skip while
accelerating at highway speeds.

I spoke with the dealership after the first incident. They suspected bad
gas or stuff getting past the fuel filter.

I'm in Ottawa, the temperatures have been around 3-7C the past two days
(that's roughly 40F I think).

What do you think? Fuel? Engine filter? plugs?

A flashing check engine light indicates a real-time misfire. It is not
a good idea to drive the car for any length of time with the light
flashing as damage to the catalytic converter can occur from unburned
fuel going through it. The car should be checked by a shop as soon as
possible to find the cause as there are a number of possibilities
including the ones you mentioned. Don't just keep driving it.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

This is the first engine problem I've had with my 2001 Legacy stationwagon.

I've had three days (one a few weeks ago, the other two yesterday and
today) where the engine seems to stutter at times. When I started the car
on these three ocassions, the check engine light would flash and the engine
seemed to stutter or skip... I don't know how to describe it. It sounded
quite rough.

The first time, the check engine light started to flash as I drew away from
a stop sign, two blocks from my house. I pulled over and by the time I'd
stopped, so had the flashing. All went well until yesterday.

Yesterday, and today, the check engine light started to flash right after
starting the car and before leaving the driveway. The engine was also
quite rough, that stutter/skip was back. After running the engine at about
3000rpm for 20s, the check engine flashing stopped.

This problem did not recur the other 4 times I started the car today.
However, I would occasionally notice a small stutter or skip while
accelerating at highway speeds.

I spoke with the dealership after the first incident. They suspected bad
gas or stuff getting past the fuel filter.

I'm in Ottawa, the temperatures have been around 3-7C the past two days
(that's roughly 40F I think).

What do you think? Fuel? Engine filter? plugs?

Um - you might consider a different mechanic if they didn't ask you to
bring the car in to have the troublecodes read.

You don't mention the mileage on the car - but likely it is old enough
to possibly have 1 or 2 sensors getting old/lazy PLUS maybe have bad
plugwires/coilpack etc. Seems the instances you mention were soon after
strating the car. This is when the engine is both cold and possibly has
condensation under the hood. If the codes comeback as 'just' misfires,
suspect the wires/coilpack as one possibility. Engine Temp Sensor is
another. Getting the codes read, the ECU cleared, and any new codes read
will tell us - or your mechanic - a lot.

Carl

 

[Todd H.]

What do you think? Fuel? Engine filter? plugs?

I'd be real interested in what code the check engine light ends up
being associated with. If the CEL comes on the engine controller
will give ya a clue about why it's unhappy.

Can the odbcii code scanners that autozone and the like have read our
2001's these days?

 

[Dan Langille]

Um - you might consider a different mechanic if they didn't ask you to
bring the car in to have the troublecodes read.

You don't mention the mileage on the car - but likely it is old enough
to possibly have 1 or 2 sensors getting old/lazy PLUS maybe have bad
plugwires/coilpack etc.

The car has 110,000km on it (roughly 60,000 miles).

Seems the instances you mention were soon after
strating the car. This is when the engine is both cold and possibly has
condensation under the hood. If the codes comeback as 'just' misfires,
suspect the wires/coilpack as one possibility. Engine Temp Sensor is
another. Getting the codes read, the ECU cleared, and any new codes read
will tell us - or your mechanic - a lot.

Thanks.

 

[Dan Langille]

I'd be real interested in what code the check engine light ends up
being associated with. If the CEL comes on the engine controller
will give ya a clue about why it's unhappy.

Can the odbcii code scanners that autozone and the like have read our
2001's these days?

The problem has been fixed.

The report: SSM MONITOR TESTFAULT CODE P0101 & P0103. MISFIRE #1 & #3
CYLINDERS.

They replaced the ignition wires and the ignition coil.

They also mentioned: that the inner spark plug seals and valve cover
gaskets should be replace ASAP. They mentioned it should have a tune up
and new plugs. I'll get that done during the next oil change.

and, FWIW, the alternator drive belt is starting to crack.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

The problem has been fixed.

The report: SSM MONITOR TESTFAULT CODE P0101 & P0103. MISFIRE #1 & #3
CYLINDERS.

They replaced the ignition wires and the ignition coil.

They also mentioned: that the inner spark plug seals and valve cover
gaskets should be replace ASAP. They mentioned it should have a tune up
and new plugs. I'll get that done during the next oil change.

and, FWIW, the alternator drive belt is starting to crack.

 

[Chicobiker]

This is the first engine problem I've had with my 2001 Legacy stationwagon.

I've had three days (one a few weeks ago, the other two yesterday and
today) where the engine seems to stutter at times. When I started the car
on these three ocassions, the check engine light would flash and the engine
seemed to stutter or skip... I don't know how to describe it. It sounded
quite rough.

I had exactly this problem with my 2003 OBS a while ago. My kms would
have been similar to yours now (just over 100,000kms.) Replaced the
spark plugs and it made no difference so I took it to the dealer. They
spent an hour and couldn't find anything, but they did re-grease the
connection between the ignition wires and the do-hickey on top of the
engine.

Problem almost completely went away after that.

I still feel a slight sensation of mis-fire whenever I have just filled
up with gas. Very minor and it goes away within a minute. I have to
believe that it has something to do with pressure in the tank. Fuel
pump should probably work better with more gas? A filter problem
shouldn't depend on the level of gas in the tank?

Anyway, glad things are better for you. That was pretty dangerous. I
pulled out of my driveway a couple of times and almost had the car
stall in front of traffic!

Chico